Margaret Graves

Responsibilities

I have a lot of different responsibilities during my current internship. Each one of the interns has one of three shifts; the morning shift, the game shift, or the closing shift. If you are assigned the morning shift, you are responsible for getting the stadium ready for the game and leaving once all the tasks are completed. Some responsibilities include hosing down the seats and the concourse, setting out garbage cans and recycling bins, rolling t-shirts, setting up umbrellas, and much more. Once most of these tasks are completed, the next group of interns shows up to finish the tasks before the game. These tasks usually include wiping down all the stadium surfaces and unlocking the stadiums' gates. These interns are also in charge of all of the promotions that are done during the game. Once the game is over, interns undo everything they did pregame and pull suite and bathroom trash. Once these tasks are complete, they are set to go home. Usually, two interns end up closing the stadium after each game. Interns also work promotions during the game. Once the game is over, the closers clean the balconies of each suite. Once they are done cleaning, there is usually a lot of waiting time since a cleaning crew usually comes in after the game to pick up the trash in the seats. Once the cleaning crew leaves, the two closers finish locking the gates, turn off all the lights, and set the alarm. Once everything is complete, they are set to leave. As stadium operations interns, we help out with ushering, parking, and concessions.

Accomplishments

My greatest accomplishment during my internship experience was being put in charge of a city of Des Moines bags tournament at Principal Park. Since I was given this opportunity, it showed me that I did work hard at my internship. Sometimes it is hard for me to realize if I am doing a great job or not, so by being rewarded, this opportunity showed me that all my hard work paid off. This accomplishment will also push me to be the best I can for the rest of the summer.

Learning experience

It is important to have good communication skills and to be flexible. Things will come up unexpectedly, and they will have to be taken care of right away. These things that come up may take away from some of the more glamorous parts of the job, but these are the tasks that will prepare you for the industry, so it is important to be flexible when these things come up. It is also important to have excellent communication skills. Working in the sports industry, you will have to communicate with different people, so it is important to know how to communicate with all sorts of people. It is also important to know how to communicate when situations come up. It is important to remain calm and not draw attention to these situations as they come up. With these two lessons, I believe everything else will come more easily and naturally.

What advice would you give?

Some advice I have for future students is to always work hard and always follow the dreams and goals that you set for yourself. If you work hard, your supervisors will pick up your hard work. In that case, your supervisors will reward you with excellent opportunities with the organization or can be an excellent reference when looking for a full-time job. I always knew I wanted to go into sports, but I never knew what industry opportunities there were. One of my professors recommended a position within Iowa State Athletics, opening me up to the sports industry. I fell in love with this position, which helped me decide what sports I want to do when I graduate college. Overall, working hard and finding opportunities that best suit your needs is important because they will end up working out in your favor.